By Adrian McMurray (NRL.com)
Kangaroos forward Tyson Frizell might take on the NRL's biggest on a weekly basis, but the prospect of racing in sports cars around a race track in a mid-week team activity almost proved too daunting for the Red V enforcer.
Speaking from Donington Park in Derby as the Kangaroos took some time out from training in the lead up to their Four Nations clash with the Kiwis, Frizell – who shows plenty of pace for a big man on the field – said he initially wasn't too keen on the idea of hitting the track for the first time with his Kangaroos teammates.
"It was pretty scary," Frizell said.
"To be honest, I was thinking about chickening out and not doing it but you've got great drivers alongside you, they take you through it all. Once you go past the first lap it's pretty fun."
While it was all fun and games on the track the focus will return to matters on the field later in the week as the Kangaroos ramp up preparations for their Four Nations showdown with the Kiwis.
Fresh off a 54-12 win over Scotland and 26-6 victory over David Kidwell's side prior to the UK tour, there are plenty of positive signs for Australia ahead of this weekend's double-header at the Ricoh Arena.
New Zealand began their Four Nations campaign in dramatic fashion, with a Shaun Johnson field goal proving the difference in a 17-16 victory over host nation England. Frizell was hopeful the grinding contest took its toll on their opponents this Sunday (Monday morning AEDT).
"It was a very close game between those two (New Zealand and England) so hopefully they've taken it out of each other a bit," Frizell said.
"Leading into this game, we're coming away with the convincing win against Scotland, but they're going to be wanting to get one back on us from a few weeks ago.
"It's going to be a good match up and hopefully our boys can come away with the win."
